1969 Ford Mustang Boss 429 Drag Car

Sold for
$145,750

Built to homologate the new 429 “semi-hemi” engine for NASCAR, the Boss 429 was the most powerful Mustang ever and one of the rarest as well. The engine, intentionally under-rated at a humble 375 horsepower, featured a forged steel crank, NASCAR rods, four-bolt main bearing caps and large-valve aluminum heads with crescent-shaped combustion chambers. A large cold air scoop fed a huge Holley carburetor atop an aluminum high-rise intake manifold; breathing was controlled by a hydraulic cam that was replaced partway through production with an improved solid-lifter version. All 429’s were equipped with power steering and brakes with front discs, a Hurst-shifted four-speed and 3.91:1 Traction-Lok rear end.

This White 1969 Boss 429 had a high profile career as a test bed and drag car for Custom Enterprises on Long Island, NY and the focus of a feature article in the February 1970 issue of Hot Cars Magazine. Disappointed by an initial test in their August 1969 issue, the editors visited Custom Enterprises and interviewed this car’s owner, John Riedel, who had been busy whipping the Boss into an 11.70 machine despite it weighing 265 pounds over the Super Stock D minimum.

Riedel had fitted the car, which was capable of mid-fourteens in stock trim, with 90/10 front shocks, a 1050cfm Holley 3-barrel over an Offenhauser spacer block, a 610-series Holman Moody cam kit and 5.13 gears. The results spoke for themselves, and the Hot Cars crew returned to counter its first story with a glowing report of the big Boss’ lively new act.

Thirty eight years later, the car shows just over 2,200 miles on the odometer and remains in its original White exterior finish with Black Décor Group interior. The single Holley 3-barrel has given way to twin Holley fours on a dual tunnel-ram intake.The 4-speed shifter is still there along with the roll bar installed all those years ago to meet SS/D rules. Every Boss 429 is a special car; with its incredible originality and well-chronicled history, this one is very special indeed.